London, November 6 (RHC)-- Britain has unveiled a plan for sweeping new surveillance powers, which include giving the government the ability to monitor which websites people visit. Experts say parts of the new bill go beyond even the surveillance powers allowed in the United States.

Home Secretary Theresa May called the new powers "unprecedented," while also promising transparency. She said: "This will give the men and women of our security and intelligence agencies and our law enforcement agencies, who do so much to keep us safe and secure, the powers they need to protect our country."

On Twitter, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden said: "By my read, #SnoopersCharter legitimizes mass surveillance. It is the most intrusive and least accountable surveillance regime in the West."